No rest for the weary mom

Sick today- feel like puking, but no rest for the weary mom.  

Took Kenz for a follow-up appointment with the Pediatrician after her few urgent care visits.  She's still struggling to breathe and this whole 'treat the symptom and freely give false diagnosis' thing is killing me... And her.  This is precisely one of my 'whys' for wanting to be a PA.

Since the mold exposure was apparent in September, we've been told by a few different doctors, "it's bronchitis, it's sinusitis, it's extreme allergies, take these meds, might be mono; oops, that didn't work, let's do an X-ray- looks like pneumonia so let's give you a shot in the butt, some steroids and lots of antibiotics, plus allergy meds and cough meds, and an inhaler. Take this homeopathic remedy; it should make you feel better. Oops, it's not pneumonia, it's probably classic asthma, take these meds..., nope, meds didn't work so it's probably chronic viral bronchitis, but really, we're stumped, so keep taking your inhaler right before your swim work-outs, and let's get you into an Allergist."  I think the part that takes the cake is the PA who asked me, 'does she smoke?' And after I answer a resounding NO, turns to her and says disapprovingly, 'do you smoke?'  Really???  That's all ya got?? 

I don't have much faith in the medical community that doesn't want to explore beyond the usual.  But today, a break from school and lunch at The Habit made it better for a moment.  And then tomorrow starts the cycle all over again.

Valentine's Day at the Gilbert Temple

In some ways our 'pilgrimage' to the Gilbert Temple open house reminded me of all those stories you hear from the early days of the LDS Saints and their pilgrimage to the temple to worship or be sealed. 

The day before leaving we had only a few dollars to our name, but this trip was so important to me for really only one reason.  How often do/will our children have the chance to experience walking through the doors of such a holy edifice as youth and primary aged children?  To  see and feel for themselves what joy & peace that can be theirs if they live their lives in such a way to claim those blessings.  A beacon and a perfect memory to hold onto when times get tough, when the road doesn't seem clear, when judgement is clouded, weakness prevails, or when the path seems bright!

We had planned on staying at Kevin and Brooke's, but last minute, she didn't want houseguests, being due in a month with baby #2... So having no funds to go, but feeling strongly about taking the kids.. We booked a hotel for one night in hopes that K&B ended up relenting-- I guess they felt badly knowing how many years and how many times we had hosted them when it wasn't the most convenient. 

The night before we left, Curt received a small bonus from work... One that would pay for the gas and allow us to have a few meals out.  And so we made our 24 hour pilgrimage.  

And the temple did not disappoint.  I wish I could have captured on camera Izzie's face as she rounded the corner into the celestial room and laid her eyes on the most grand crystal chandelier I've ever seen.  Alexandra was in awe of the grand staircase that she envisioned to be in her house when she grows up.  I loved that the mystery was taken out of whatever was in Monson's head when he saw the simple beauty of the sealing room and the altar where marriages/ sealings take place.  The mirrors of eternity caught Mckenzie's eye.  It is my hope & prayer that these simple symbols will become the memories my children will hold onto as they experience the ebbs and crossroads of life, which will propel them to choose the right, even when it's hard.